What do the stone-and-block basements need from the termite check?
The 1920s and 1930s houses of Old Arlington have stone-and-block basements, and the joint between the block and the wood sill is where the inspector spends the most time. The wood is probed carefully, and the joint is checked for mud tubes and for gaps that let soil and insects in.
Many of these basements are finished. Where the walls are hidden, the report says which sections could not be reached, and the homeowner decides with the inspector whether any section should be opened.
How do the Tudor and cottage homes handle fall insects?
The Tudor and cottage homes have steep roofs, decorative gables and deep eaves, and each gable and eave is a place where the fall insects gather. The visit checks the gable vents, the eave joints and the soffit for gaps, and seals each one with a material that suits the finish.
Original windows in these homes are often a mix of wood frames and later replacements. The window casings are checked where the old and the new frame meet, because that joint is a common route for insects.
What do the ranches north of Lane Avenue need?
The 1950s and 1960s ranches and splits north of Lane Avenue have shorter runs of foundation wall and a broader set of windows and doors. The sealing list is usually longer at the frames and shorter at the sill, and the report says so.
The attic in a split-level house can be small and reached by a narrow hatch. The visit plans the route in advance and records the parts of the attic it could reach.
What should an Upper Arlington homeowner expect from the report?
The report lists the basement, the sill, the attic and the outside walk separately, with the findings and the work recommended for each. A homeowner can see at once which part of the house is in order and which needs attention.
A dated photo of each recommended seal is included, so the next visit can check whether the work was done and whether the gap has returned.
How do the planned-suburb lots differ from one another?
The 1913 plan gave Upper Arlington its curved streets and generous lots, and the houses on them are set back with long side yards. The walk covers the side yards and the back, where the wood fences and sheds sit on soil.
North of Lane Avenue the lots are smaller and more regular, and the sealing list is shorter but the attic checks are the same.
